The newest estimate for the 2026 Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) is 2.5 percent. That’s about a fifty-dollar increase each month for someone receiving two thousand dollars in benefits. It’s slightly higher than earlier forecasts, but not enough to ease the pressure many retirees feel.
This number isn’t locked in. The official COLA won’t be announced until October. It depends on inflation data from the third quarter. If prices rise faster than expected, the adjustment could go up. If inflation cools, it might drop.
Right now, the estimate matches last year’s increase. That’s not great news. Every day costs like food, rent, and medical care continue to rise. For many, a fifty-dollar boost doesn’t come close to covering the gap.
That’s why it’s important to speak up. COLA calculations can shift based on how inflation is measured. They can also be influenced by public pressure. Lawmakers need to hear from the people this impacts most—retirees trying to keep up with real-world expenses. And even for those of us who are well off financially, we’ve fairly earned our benefits. We deserve to be paid back in full.
If you think the estimate is too low, say so via our petition. Every voice adds weight to the push for a more realistic, fair increase. This 2.5 percent number may be today’s prediction, but it doesn’t have to be tomorrow’s reality. There’s still time to make a difference. Let’s fight for a COLA that reflects what it truly costs to live.
Help The Seniors Center Protect the Future of Social Security
The Seniors Center is committed to finding solutions to strengthen and protect the Social Security Trust Fund. Social Security is a contract between citizens and the government. Money deposited in the Trust Fund should only be used to pay benefits to eligible recipients.
The Seniors Center is demanding Congress finally put a stop to the careless borrowing and spending by greedy politicians that has put our Trust Fund and our secure retirement in jeopardy.
At The Seniors Center, our goal is to help seniors, and we’re doing that by protecting the future of Social Security. Retirees shouldn’t have to worry about losing their hard-earned benefits to taxes or the agendas of greedy politicians. If you agree, we invite you to sign our petition today! And follow The Seniors Center on Twitter and Facebook for more updates!
